User profile: lexushoneybee

Hi Judy,
You have made my point and I thank you for your considered response about these bureau "chiefs". These state positions (e.g., Bureau Chiefs) and others like them are leadership positions. These positions do have a voice and are obligated to speak out about what is and isn't happening under their watch...the fact that they don't do so or feel they can't supports my contention that we have people in these positions who have not the first clue about what it means to be a leader...they are more concerned about keeping their jobs than doing their jobs. Thanks for listening.

Beezie,
It is the coward's way out to claim one is unable to make a difference when all that is required is the courage to act. I hope that once you complete your credential,if you do complete it, you will have the courage to do the right things for the right reasons rather than simply offer excuses for moving along to get along because you feel there are no other options for you; this is the inference you have offered in your response and the problem in our state system today. I am proud to say I have taken a stand many times; I hope when you have been in the professional world as long as I, you will be able to make the same claim.

Dear Tackman,
I find it very interesting that when one does not have a response based on expertise and knowledge, one reduces oneself to insults and demeaning commentary. I am neither a Kool Aid drinker nor did I vote for the current Governor. And, like you, I have worked very closely with state employees and in the public and private system for many years -- 30 to be exact. The problem in Nevada is we have a scarcity of leaders in leadership positions. In addition, we have extremely low expectations of these "leaders" further complicating our ability to rise to excellence. I would suggest to both you and Beezie that talk is cheap...if you are really committed to doing what's best for our state, I would encourage you both to act with the courage of your convictions, if either of you have any.

Dear Judy and Beezie,
Let us be mindful of the waste, fraud, incompetence, and abuse seen everyday in the public sector. People in these positions not only have a say in what is to happen (obviously, they are supposedly hired due to their expertise and ability to lead and this Bureau Chief in particular was actually invited before the legislative committee in order to provide them with an accounting--while there, she had absolutely no problem laying the blame on lack of funding from the Governor's office making your argument they have "absolutely no say whatsoever" blantantly untrue) but they also have an absolute moral and ethical obligation to make sure things get done right and the right things get done (See Drucker if you are not a student of leadership). Again, this culture is one the Governor inherited, not one he created. You are allowed your agendas, no doubt, but let's also try to see past your personal agendas to problem solving and effective governance for Nevadans.

This is not a funding issue, as some of my fellow commenters suggest. It is a leadership issue, or I should say, a failure of leadership ... and, I might add, it is not the Governor's leadership failure but, rather, it is the failure of the State of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, which has demonstrated time and again its inability to protect and serve our fellow Nevadans...the class action lawsuit for child deaths, the threats of federal sanctions, the Health Divisions' failure to meet minimum federal standards for Early Intervention Services, the Medicaid Division's inability to obtain federal approval for their languishing state plan, and now, the Health Division's blunders and failures to inspect. Anyone who has consistently followed the media trail and legislative activity outlining this Department’s blunderings can come to no other conclusion. Lack of funding and resources for not doing one’s job is typically the response from the leadership in this Department when something goes awry; these types of complaints and excuses always come from those who have little else to offer...one would hope that occasionally these folks would actually consider offering solutions rather than the irritating finger pointing and pouting we have unfortunately grown all to accustomed to witnessing. And our legislators for all their expressed incredulity over the messes this Department has created are no better for it is they who have continued to support the leadership in this Department whilst all the while taking every opportunity to proffer media sound bites with regard to their concerns for Nevadans as a result of the ineptitude this Department has created and finding fault with the Governor for a situation which they have supported and leadership for which they continue to advocate.

If the Governor has failed at anything in this situation, it has been that he has allowed powerful state legislators to influence his better judgment regarding this Department’s leadership and their collective capacity to perform in a competent, effective, honorable, and diligent manner. The Governor must come to realize (sooner rather than later) that the time has come and gone for these folks…let's get some leadership in this Department and let's start holding all those who are supported by our hard earned tax dollars to a higher level of accountability for doing their jobs. This is the least we can expect from our tax dollars and we should demand no less…the very lives of our fellow citizens depends on it!